Thursday's letters: Loose lips’

Published: Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at 6:48 p.m.

To the editor: A current issue is the Justice Department’s seizure of reporters’ phone records. Some say this is an effort to stifle the press and whistle-blowers. They are incorrect.

While in the military, I was assigned to an intelligence unit. I swore to protect classified information I possessed. I took that responsibility seriously. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for some in government today.

The Justice Department’s effort is not against reporters but against those who have violated their oath by leaking classified information to the press.

This effort is important to the security of the American people. There are real consequences of “loose lips.”

Those responsible for national security during the 1990s were concerned about the threat from al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. They were monitoring his satellite phone.

As the result of an unauthorized disclosure to the press that was published, bin Laden stopped using that phone, shutting off a valuable source of information.

Had that leak not occurred and that source remained available, we may have avoided 9/11. Government employees who divulge classified information need to be stopped.

Duane Johnson

Hendersonville

A class by itself

To the editor: My wife and I went to see “Evita,” the show being performed on Flat Rock Playhouse’s main stage. Having previously seen the show several times at various venues in the U.S. and in London, we almost decided not to get tickets. What a huge mistake that would have been!

We have been attending shows at the Playhouse for almost 10 years, and every show we have seen has been superb. Some of the shows featured wonderful music and acting; some had outstanding set designs, choreography, dancing, sound or other attributes that set them apart.

But the performance of “Evita” we saw was in a class by itself. Every aspect of the show was magnificent! The staging was amazingly realistic and the set changes were incredibly seamless. The singing, acting, choreography and dancing could not have been any better.

Costuming was authentic and first rate. The orchestra was super, and the sound system was set up and balanced the best I have ever heard at the Playhouse.

If you love musical theater, run, don’t walk, to the Playhouse box office and get tickets for this amazing show while you still can. You will most definitely not be sorry!

<p>To the editor: A current issue is the Justice Department’s seizure of reporters’ phone records. Some say this is an effort to stifle the press and whistle-blowers. They are incorrect.</p><p>While in the military, I was assigned to an intelligence unit. I swore to protect classified information I possessed. I took that responsibility seriously. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for some in government today.</p><p>The Justice Department’s effort is not against reporters but against those who have violated their oath by leaking classified information to the press.</p><p>This effort is important to the security of the American people. There are real consequences of loose lips.</p><p>Those responsible for national security during the 1990s were concerned about the threat from al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. They were monitoring his satellite phone.</p><p>As the result of an unauthorized disclosure to the press that was published, bin Laden stopped using that phone, shutting off a valuable source of information.</p><p>Had that leak not occurred and that source remained available, we may have avoided 9/11. Government employees who divulge classified information need to be stopped.</p><p><em>Duane Johnson</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>A class by itself</h3>
<p>To the editor: My wife and I went to see Evita, the show being performed on Flat Rock Playhouse’s main stage. Having previously seen the show several times at various venues in the U.S. and in London, we almost decided not to get tickets. What a huge mistake that would have been!</p><p>We have been attending shows at the Playhouse for almost 10 years, and every show we have seen has been superb. Some of the shows featured wonderful music and acting; some had outstanding set designs, choreography, dancing, sound or other attributes that set them apart.</p><p>But the performance of Evita we saw was in a class by itself. Every aspect of the show was magnificent! The staging was amazingly realistic and the set changes were incredibly seamless. The singing, acting, choreography and dancing could not have been any better.</p><p>Costuming was authentic and first rate. The orchestra was super, and the sound system was set up and balanced the best I have ever heard at the Playhouse.</p><p>If you love musical theater, run, don’t walk, to the Playhouse box office and get tickets for this amazing show while you still can. You will most definitely not be sorry!</p><p><em>Bill McClung</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p>